Speed kills
I read with concern the front-page story on support growing for a 110kmh speed limit (October 19).
As a trauma surgeon, I regularly encounter the horrific consequences of road accidents and cannot stress enough the harm that is caused by accidents at high speeds. As it stands, many motorists drive above the upper limit and I have no reason to believe that this unsafe practice will cease if the limit is raised.
For the doctors, nurses, and emergency services who work tirelessly to save the lives of those injured on the road, an increase in the speed limit will make their jobs that much harder. Even on our ‘‘best roads’’ an extra 10kmh gives motorists less time to react to changing conditions and any accidents that do occur will be much more likely to kill those involved. Are we willing to accept this price in return for a trivial reduction in travel time?
Dr LI HSEE Chair, NZ Trauma Committee Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons drawn out painful and mentally anguished time of days, weeks, months or even years before they die. There are many stories from relatives who go through this suffering with them.
Euthanasia actually means ‘a good death’. That’s all we want, just like we allow our pets to have.
If you don’t want to make that choice then don’t, but why be so selfish and cruel as to disallow others? Is that really your right? ANN MACE
Miramar about the expense that Wellington City Council are going to incur implementing a questionable computer programme, OneCouncil for our council business activities. Not to mention the way the Australian banks cream us off with owning our major trading banks.
Why do we use Australian systems and programmes? They have a track record of failing and being unsatisfactory . . . in recent times we have had failed prison management, failed payroll systems and unsatisfactory transport deals. I believe not enough consultation is carried by the heads of businesses and government departments with the worker at the ‘‘coalface’’.
Let’s use our many brilliant, innovative and practical New Zealanders. We often hear of Kiwis who have developed and invented many hi-tech equipment and systems. New Zealanders ‘‘Know how – Can do’’. HEATHER BRAY Tawa into private rentals. The only reason more people are being added to the housing register is because the Government’s housing policy was embarrassing the PM and Bennett.
It has nothing to do with people being sent to Work and Income by the prime minister. They were already going there. People registering for housing are being told they must prove they are looking for private rentals.
Nothing has changed except that the number of people waiting for housing is increasing dramatically as is the cost of emergency housing. This Government would do well to head the policy spend a penny to save a pound. TERESA HOMAN Upper Hutt
‘‘The presidential debate was another exercise in narcissism, bombast and mendacity by Mr Trump.’’ The New York Times disapproves of Donald Trump’s performance in the third presidential debate.